Tuck Everlasting

This movie was nothing like the book. While the book was attention-grabbing and inspiring, the movie is cheesy and boring! Jesse falling off a ferris wheel? Did they even have ferris wheels back then? And unless Mae Tuck was attempting suicide, there is no way she could have cut her finger completely off just by cutting a damn piece of food! I couldn't even get the first 15 minutes before I literally fell asleep. If you can't fall asleep, this is a good movie, if you want entertainment, don't even think about this poor excuse for a movie.

Accepted on its own terms, without all the excess baggage inherent in comparing this film to the famous children's book on which it is based, or the recent all-star Hollywood adaptation, this is in fact a beautifully produced low-budget independent film fable. I have not read the original book, nor does that even matter, as any film should stand on its own merit. For a cast of non-professional actors, virtually all the performances are capable here, with the director's father Fred Keller notable as the Tuck family patriarch. The story is naturally compelling, and I appreciated the director's visual sense, focusing a great deal on the faces of the characters in order to foster a sense of intimacy with the audience. The folk instrumental soundtrack adds additional authenticity. It is obvious that the filmmakers of this now-forgotten film put their heart into the production.

I suppose, it is the right choice for the fans of book. Not only as adaptation of it but for a delicate, soft poetry who reminds the lines of novel. It is easy to criticize it but it has a virtue , a beautiful one - it is a story about a way who lives deeper in us. And the perfect manner to present it is the most important motif for see it. Sure, it is not Disney version. That is a good and a bad point from each perspective. But it preserves the old fashion ingenuity. And, in few situations, a turtle is more preferable than a frog.

This is a great film and should be much better known. It features all amateur actors who are excellent in their roles and generally superior in every way to professional actors. The movie, filmed in upstate New York, is low-key, gentle, and magical.

I also saw this movie - on TV here in Sweden, back in the 80:s - and all I can do is agree with what was said in the comment I read. The Disney version is OK, yes, but still nowhere near this one.

This one is lovely, beautiful, romantic, dramatic, bittersweet... And there I'm at loss for words. Even more so, since English isn't my native language... <:) I loved it then - and misses it sooo much! Why isn't this one available on VHS or DVD??? I'd buy it in an instant! (I do own the Disney version and the book - but, oh, this is the version I really DO want!)

For those of you who haven't yet seen this film/movie: If it's at all possible - do see it! If you have seen the Disney version and somehow are able to see this one also: Do! If you liked what Disney made of it, you wont be disappointed in this one. No way!

Added: Now I own it! I do! And I'm happy as can be about it. I love this one. I do. Granted, it's not quite as I remember it. I think the opening scenes (the fair) takes too long time, but other than that it's lovely. And Paul Flessa - Jesse Tuck - is still ever so cute. ;)(Yeah, my taste has changed during these 20-some years, but apparently not when it comes to him.) Wonder whatever became of him and the other actors...